Virginia dairy farmer Coley Drinkwater isn't sure how the snoozing myth began but it's one she can debunk: cows do not sleep standing up. “No,” she says, “cows sleep laying down.” ... Because of this survivalist trait, Goodell says cows “doze” more than experiencing actual deep sleep.

What animals can sleep standing up?

Horses, zebras and elephants are just 3 examples of animals that can sleep standing up, because it allows them to quickly escape an attack by a predator (the process of standing up can be slow and clumsy).

How long can a cow stand up?

Standing vs. Lying Down

It's a common misconception that cows don't lie down to rest and that they sleep standing up, just like horses do much of the time. In fact, cows actually lie down for up to 14 hours per day, standing up every few hours, stretching and then lying back down again.